Stevia First Corp. Announces Scientific Collaboration With BioViva Sciences

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 18, 2015) - Stevia First Corp. (OTCQB: STVF) ("SF Corp." or the "Company"), an agricultural biotechnology company based in California's Central Valley growing region and focused on the industrial scale production of stevia, the all-natural zero-calorie sweetener that is rapidly transforming the food and beverage industry, is pleased to advise it has entered into a scientific collaboration with BioViva Sciences ("BioViva") in order to advance genetic therapies for alleviation of human diabetes and obesity.

SF Corp's geroprotector development program is geared towards identifying novel genes, drugs, and nutritional products that influence lifespan, and which could have a profound effect on human metabolism. As part of this work, the Company's "AI Scientist" discovery program is analyzing publically-available aging genomics data, then using machine learning algorithms in order to identify key genetic regulators of disease. From this information, the Company is then able to identify food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical interventions that influence these genetic pathways and that may be useful for treatment or prevention of diabetes and obesity.

BioViva is developing novel gene therapy protocols where single-dose administrations can have lasting and potentially life-long benefits on human health. BioViva has a portfolio of patented gene therapy products including ones related to heart disease and neurological disorders. As part of the scientific collaboration, SF Corp's team will provide BioViva with lists of novel genes and gene combinations believed to be upstream regulators of disease and that will be evaluated as candidate gene therapies for diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.

"BioViva Sciences's team is at the vanguard of clinical testing for innovative AAV gene therapies," says Robert Brooke, CEO of SF Corp. "Through this collaboration we are excited to share our recent findings, and to validate the use of our technology for identifying such a lucrative and beneficial medical intervention."

Liz Parrish, BioViva's CEO, adds that "SF Corp.'s approach to developing food and nutritional products based upon genetic pathways is quite unique and rigorous. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them and to advance our development program."

About Stevia First Corp. (OTCQB: STVF)
Stevia First Corp. is an agricultural biotechnology company that is enabling dramatically healthier food and nutrition products. For more information visit: www.steviafirst.com and connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+.

About BioViva Sciences
BioViva Sciences is committed to extending healthy lifespans. We are a team built solely for the advancement of genetic cures through biotechnology. BioViva Sciences is developing and licensing therapies and procedures to find real solutions to change the paradigm of illness. For more information visit: http://www.bioviva-science.com/.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, projections of worldwide sales of stevia products, growth of stevia production and global markets. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.